Chicagoan Lori Lightfoot, the first Black lesbian mayoral candidate in the city's history, won the Feb. 26 general election. She had won about 17.69 percent of the vote as of 10:30 p.m. in an incredibly crowded candidate poolarmed with a smaller financial war chest than many of her competitorsso she'll face off April 2 against runner-up candidate Toni Preckwinkle, who garnered about 15.95 percent of the vote..

About 95.36 percent of precincts had reported by press time.

In her victory speech, accompanied onstage by her wife and daughter, Lightfoot asked: "So what do you think of us now?"

Lightfoot announced her candidacy in May 2018, long before Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced he'd be leaving office in 2019, setting into motion a contest that saw well over a dozen mayoral candidates enter the field. A former prosecutor who headed up the Chicago Police Board, Lightfoot is running for office for the first time.

"As an LGBTQ-plus person, I thought about running for mayor when no other LGBTQ-plus person had ever made the ballot," said Lightfoot in her Feb. 26 remarks.

"This election is about whether we are resigned to the status quo or resolved to fight for what's right," she added. "This election is about leaving the crumbling machine in the past, once and for all, and demanding an independent, accountable City Hall that serves the people. It's time to bring it home."

She also spoke about her roots, and how her family's experiences when her brother was incarcerated influenced her world-view: "It's not every day that a little Black girl from a segregated steel town makes the runoff to become the mayor in America's third largest city."

Lightfoot acknowledged her support from Equality Illinois PAC and Victory Fund. Those organizations wasted no time in announcing their congratulations in statements.

"While we wait for every vote to be counted, we are incredibly thrilled with the votes that have come in," said Equality Illinois CEO Brian Johnson. "We congratulate Lori Lightfoot for advancing to the April 2 run-off election and her historic candidacy as the first-ever openly queer person to run for mayor of Chicago. That is a significant milestone in Chicago and Illinois history. Representation matters. Now, let's bring it home on April 2 and elect Lori Lightfoot mayor of Chicago."

"Despite not having a legacy last name or a rolodex of rich friends, Lori's fighting spirit and ability to transcend the murky machinations of Chicago politics has made the unlikely a reality  and Chicagoans will be better for it," said Annise Parker, Victory Fund's president and CEO. "While Lori is determined to improve the lives of all the city's residentswhether downtown or on the South Sidethe historic nature of her candidacy provides Chicagoans the rare opportunity to bring fresh perspectives and experiences to city hall."

In her speech Feb. 26, Preckwinkle came out swinging in remarks, denouncing Lightfoot for having accepted appointments in Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Mayor Richard M. Daley's administrations.

She added, "I'm not afraid of big challenges and hard work. … My entire career has prepared me for this moment. … This race is is not about me; it's about all of us. It's about our shared vision for this city."

City clerk

Anna Valencia was against two candidates who had removals pendingso she received all the votes.

City treasurer

In a competitive race, Melissa Conyers-Ervin and Ameya Pawar are headed for an April 2 runoff.

Aldermanic races:

With all 50 Chicago City Council seats up for grabs, it was a mixed bag for incumbents and challengersand one for LGBT candidates as well. ( Results with asterisks denote races with LGBT individuals involved. )

To win a Chicago race outright, a candidate must win more than 50 percent of the vote. If that does not happen, each race will go to an April 2 runoff between the top two finishers.

NOTE: These results are as of 10 p.m. on Feb. 26. Results will be updated online as they are finalized.

1st Ward: Incumbent Proco "Joe" Moreno was upset by challenger Daniel La Spata 61 percent to 39 percent, losing the seat he has held since 2010. Both had been in the news latelyLa Spata for a controversial photo, and Moreno for an alleged false police report.

22nd Ward: Four people were in the race to succeed another embattled politician: retiring Ald. Ricardo Munoz. Michael Rodriguez won more than 60 percent of the vote to take the seat.

23rd Ward: Silvana Tabares, a former state representative, was just appointed alderman of this ward last year ( replacing retired Ald. Mike Zalewski )and she easily beat challenger Paulino Villarreal.

25th Ward: Another ward, and there's another retiring politicianin this case, Ald. Danny Solis, whose situation has been in the press extensively. Out of five candidates ( all millennials ) aiming to succeed Solis, Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Alex Acevedo will face off April 2.

26th Ward: Incumbent Ald. Roberto Maldonado appeared to have held on to his seat against challenges from Theresa Siaw and David Herrera.

30th Ward: As of press time, a run off seemed likely between Ald. Ariel Reboyras and challenger Jessica Gutierrez, daughter of former U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez. A second challenger, Edgar Esparza, came in third.

*44th Ward: Longtime Ald. Tom Tunney, the first openly gay official on the Chicago City Council, held onto his seat after a challenge from Austin Baidas, who is also gay, and Elizabeth Shydlowski.

*45th Ward: Ald. John Arena was defeated by challenger James Gardiner; Robert Bank and lesbian candidate Marilyn Morales were also in the race.

*46th Ward: Openly gay Ald. James Cappleman appeared to be headed for a runoff election with Marianne Lalonde as of press time. Erika Wozniak Francis, Justin Kreindler, Angela Clay and Jon-Robert McDowell also challenged Cappleman for the post.

*47th Ward: Outgoing Ald. Ameya Pawar's seat will go to the winner of a runoff election between Matt Martin and Michael Negron. Eileen Dordek, Angela Maloney ( who is a lesbian ), Heather Way Kitzes, Gus Katsafaros, Thomas Schwartzers, Kimball Ladien and Jeff Jenkins were also in the race.

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